Saturday, November 14, 2009

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Princeton) cheered the American Medical Association's (AMA) decision to change its long held policy regarding the classification of marijuana as a drug with no accepted medical use. The AMA recently adopted a resolution that recommends the federal government review the status of marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance.

"I commend The American Medical Association for having the courage to request that the status of marijuana be re-evaluated in order to enable advanced clinical research, development of cannabis-based medicines and alternate delivery methods," remarked Gusciora.

WHERE: Houston, Texas during AMA’s annual Interim Meeting of the House of Delegates

WHY: Marijuana has both already-demonstrated and future-promising medical utility

Largest and oldest U.S. physician-based group reverses long-held position on medical marijuana

Houston, TX -- The American Medical Association (AMA) voted today to reverse its long-held position that marijuana be retained as a Schedule I substance with no medical value. The AMA adopted a report drafted by its Council on Science and Public Health (CSAPH) entitled, "Use of Cannabis for Medicinal Purposes," which affirmed the therapeutic benefits of marijuana and called for further research. The CSAPH report concluded that, "short term controlled trials indicate that smoked cannabis reduces neuropathic pain, improves appetite and caloric intake especially in patients with reduced muscle mass, and may relieve spasticity and pain in patients with multiple sclerosis." Furthermore, the report urges that "the Schedule I status of marijuana be reviewed with the goal of facilitating clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines, and alternate delivery methods."

The change of position by the largest physician-based group in the country was precipitated in part by a resolution adopted in June of 2008 by the Medical Student Section (MSS) of the AMA in support of the reclassification of marijuana's status as a Schedule I substance. In the past year, the AMA has considered three resolutions dealing with medical marijuana, which also helped to influence the report and its recommendations. The AMA vote on the report took place in Houston, Texas during the organization's annual Interim Meeting of the House of Delegates. The last AMA position, adopted 8 years ago, called for maintaining marijuana as a Schedule I substance, with no medical value.

"It's been 72 years since the AMA has officially recognized that marijuana has both already-demonstrated and future-promising medical utility," said Sunil Aggarwal, Ph.D., the medical student who spearheaded the passage of the June 2008 resolution by the MSS and was one of the CSAPH report's designated expert reviewers. "The AMA has written an extensive, well-documented, evidence-based report that they are seeking to publish in a peer-reviewed journal that will help to educate the medical community about the scientific basis of botanical cannabis-based medicines." Aggarwal is also on the Medical & Scientific Advisory Board of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the largest medical marijuana advocacy organization in the U.S.

The AMA's about face on medical marijuana follows an announcement by the Obama Administration in October discouraging U.S. Attorneys from taking enforcement actions in medical marijuana states. In February 2008, a similar resolution was adopted by the American College of Physicians (ACP), the country's second largest physician group and the largest organization of doctors of internal medicine. The ACP resolution called for an evidence-based review of marijuana's status as a Schedule I controlled substance to determine whether it should be reclassified to a different schedule. "The two largest physician groups in the U.S. have established medical marijuana as a health care issue that must be addressed," said ASA Government Affairs Director Caren Woodson. "Both organizations have underscored the need for change by placing patients above politics."

Though the CSAPH report has not been officially released to the public, AMA documentation indicates that it: "(1) provides a brief historical perspective on the use of cannabis as medicine; (2) examines the current federal and state-based legal envelope relevant to the medical use of cannabis; (3) provides a brief overview of our current understanding of the pharmacology and physiology of the endocannabinoid system; (4) reviews clinical trials on the relative safety and efficacy of smoked cannabis and botanical-based products; and (5) places this information in perspective with respect to the current drug regulatory framework."

Friday, November 6, 2009

New Jersey Multiple Sclerosis patient John Wilson faces up to 20 years in prison for using medical marijuana. New Jersey lawmakers are demanding Democrat Gov. John Corzine to pardon Wilson, who faces trial next month. While pardons are typically requested after a conviction, it is within the governor's power act at any time.

Please contact Gov. Corzine and the state Attorney General's office and demand justice for John Wilson. For your convenience, a pre-written letter will be e-mailed to Gov. Corzine and the AG's office when you enter your contact information.

- Treasury report: Current balances: Checking: $4456.89; PayPal: $561.26. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) organization, to fund public education about medical marijuana. Donations may be made securely through Paypal or checks made out to “CMMNJ” and sent to the address below. Get a free t-shirt for a donation above $15—specify size. Thank you for your support.

Scheduled meetings are Nov. 10, Dec. 8, 2009 & Jan. 12, 2010. CMMNJ meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at the Lawrence Twp. Library from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM. All are welcome. Snacks are served. The library is at 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Twp., Tel. #609.882.9246. (Meeting at the library does not imply their endorsement of our issue.) For more info, contact:

Do you agree that the prosecution of John Wilson is "inappropriate and inhumane" and "a complete waste of taxpayer money”? Send an e-mail to the New Jersey Governor and Attorney General with just a few clicks of your mouse. You can also customize your letter, like I did below. See how easy it is at:http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=14300601

November 5, 2009

Dear Governor Corzine,

As a registered nurse with 33 years of experience in New Jersey, I amjoining members of the New Jersey State Senate who have called for thepardon of multiple sclerosis patient John Wilson. Wilson faces up to 20years in prison because he used marijuana to alleviate his pain andsuffering. Senators have publicly denounced the prosecution of Wilson tobe "inappropriate and inhumane" and "a complete waste of taxpayer money."I can't agree more.

There is no justice in the state's prosecution of John Wilson. I wish toadd my voice to those calling for Wilson's pardon.

New Jersey stands on the threshold of becoming the 14th state to allow forthe legal use of marijuana under a doctor's supervision. The "New JerseyCompassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act," which the Senate approved inFebruary 2009, only awaits a floor vote by Assembly before becoming law.This bill will protect patients like Wilson who use marijuanatherapeutically. Even the federal government's attitude about medicalmarijuana is changing. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has instructedfederal authorities recently not to arrest or prosecute medical marijuanapatients or caregivers in the 13 states with medical marijuana laws, aslong as they are in compliance with state law.

Wilson's jury trial starts December 14, 2009 and the judge has ruled thatWilson will not be permitted to tell the jury that he suffers frommultiple sclerosis and that his use of marijuana was for medical purposesonly. Senator Nick Scutari said that Wilson's trial will likely be a relicof "New Jersey's outdated, socially irresponsible and fiscallyreprehensible approach in treating patients using medical marijuana likehardened criminals."

A state appeals court rejected the attempt by his attorney, James Wronko of Somerville, to challenge that ruling while the case is ongoing. It could be the subject of a future appeal, he said.The two legislators are not only seeking the pardon but also pushing a bill titled "New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act." The bill would decriminalize possession and use of marijuana by state registered patients with debilitating illnesses. It would also establish treatment centers where patients can purchase the drug.

It passed the Senate in a 22-16 vote in February and awaits a vote in the Assembly.

Members of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey stood outside the Somerset County Courthouse Friday morning as Wilson was appearing before Reed in a pre-trial conference. The members held signs advocating that marijuana for medicinal purposes be legalized.

Toms River resident Jim Miller, who co-founded the organization, became involved when his late wife Cheryl faced arrest for using marijuana to relieve her pain, said the organization will be stationed outside the courthouse when Wilson goes on trial in December.

Next to Miller on the sidewalk was an empty wheelchair that held his wife's picture.

"This entire block is going to be lined" with demonstrators during the trial, he said. "It would be nice if the governor steps in," he said. READ IN FULL

On October 19th the Ocean County College in Tom's River, NJ hosted a debate on medical marijuana. A professor of Social Science, Brad Young, moderated. The opposition was Terrence Farley, a former county prosecutor and the now head of the NJ Narcotics Task Force Commanders Assn. Farley is a vehement prohibitionist and we've sparred over this topic on television programs before.

Ken and Jim at Redbank Fundraiser

About The Coalition

Coalition members hold diverse opinions, but we all agree:

Arresting patients is wrong, and it must stop now.

Modern clinical research, centuries of experience and the impassioned personal accounts of thousands of real patients concur: Marijuana can alleviate symptoms of certain serious medical conditions, and it can do so when other drugs fail to help.

Doctors should be free to recommend this medicine to promote health, and sick or injured New Jerseyans should be free to use it responsibly.

The safety margin for therapeutic marijuana is as wide as it can be ─there is no known lethal dose.

New Jersey healthcare professionals dispense potentially lethal drugs every day. We trust them to do so very carefully, and solely to benefit their patients. Common sense and compassion demand that doctors should control non-lethal marijuana medicine for those who truly need it. To make this important change a reality, your voice is needed.

The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was introduced in the State Senate in January 2005 by Senator Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden). A companion bill is pending in the Assembly, sponsored by Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Princeton) and Assemblyman Michael Carroll (R-Morris Township).